June

Lauren texted me at 6:30 Thursday morning, her nana June had passed on a few hours earlier. The funeral was today. I went, as I did not go to Frank’s dad’s back a few years ago, I never knew of his passing for a few months afterwards. I went today cuz June was one classy lady. A very good person, who accepted everyone, even if she did not agree with you, she did accept you. I had not seen her since before my divorce. I had not seen some of the family since then either, and I was wondering how I would feel. I was and still am very numb. Like a good light went out in the world. I always admired how she held herself her humor, her class. She was very loved by many people, the church was packed. My ex could not make the connections to get back from Hawaii where he is working now. So I was there also to support my kids in their loss. Lauren lost it, Jed was a pall-bearer and he lost it a bit at the cemetery. But it was a decent day, and June would have been proud that everyone remembered to use coasters under their glasses when we went back to her home. Yup.

Raisin a martini to you June!

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June Donohue 1926-2008 LONGMEADOW – June (Becker) Reading Donohue, 82, a resident of Long-meadow, passed away on Thursday October 30, 2008 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Cambridge, MA., on July 28, 1926, a daughter of the late Karl and Mabelle (Churchill) Becker. June was a graduate of Cambridge High and Latin School and K. Dell School in Brookline. She was a volunteer at Baystate Medical Center and St. Andrew’s Church in Longmeadow. Besides holding positions in the Mercy Warren Chapter of D.A.R., and the Longmeadow Women’s Club, she was a member of the Longmeadow Country Club. Besides her parents she was predeceased by one sister, Janet Beane, her first husband Arthur Reading in 1970 and her second husband Francis Donohue in 2002. She is survived by six devoted children, Francis Donohue, Scott Reading and his wife Jeanne both of West Medford, MA., Glenn Reading and his wife Janet both of Westfield, Kathryn Chicos and her husband Wilson of Milford, CT., Jude Ebbinghaus and her husband Charles both of Groton, CT., and Claire LaBelle and her husband Ernest both of North Stonington, CT., and one sister Jean Beckers, and she leaves fourteen cherished grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. June’s funeral will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 10A.M. in First Church of Christ, 763 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Burial will follow in Longmeadow Cemetery. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in June’s memory to the Open Pantry 287 State Street, Springfield, MA 01105 or Baystate VNA and Hospice50 Maple Street, Springfield, MA 01103. Arrangements entrusted to the Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main Street, East Longmeadow, MA 01028.,

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